Arch support



Aug. 4, 1925. 1,548,469

N. E. JOHNSON ARCH SUPPORT Filed Nov. 23, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 4, 1925.

1,548,469 N. E..JOHN$ON ARCH SUPPORT Filed Nov. 2 3, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @wmw;

Patented Aug. 4, 1925.

NELS E. JOHNSON, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOISv ARCH SUPPORT.

Application filed November 23, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Nuns E; JoiiNsoN, a citizen of the United States. residing at Rockford, in the county of 'innebago and State of Illinois, have 1nvented...certain new and useful Im rovements in Arch Supports, of which the llowing is a specification.

This invention relates to foot wear. and has for its principal object the provision of an improved shank designed to be positioned between the insole and the outer sole of a shoe for strengthening the arch thereof and being shaped to give support to the metatar- Sal area of the foot. I am aware that heretofore strengthening shanks have been provided which were also intended to support the metatarsal area, but so far as I am aware. these prior structures, while they may have been suited for someparticular weakened condition or displacement, have not been suitable as a commercial roduct for the average toot forsatisfactorily correcting a weakened condition in the anterior transverse arch, the, metatarsal area and the longitudinal arch. or for preventing weakening tendencies in such parts of the normal foot.

I have, therefore, in the present invention, aimed to provide a shank, preferably in the form of a sheet metal plate, which may be inserted in the average shoe both for the purpose of strengthening the arch thereof and for functioning as a corrective and a preventive Il'KtlltlHl especially in respect to the metatarsal area of the foot. That is to say, if any weakened condition or displacement in this area exists in the average foot, my improved arch support and shank will flih lltitt as a mechanical means for correct.- in; the comlilion: and on the other hand, it the fool; is normal, my improvements will aid in upporting the foot in u correct position and will prevent weakening tendencies. To this end, I have provided a combined arch support and shank cliaracteriied by its l and location in a shoe, and preferably I (2"i!z:-l4!=tl 'v' imairporutcd in the shoe strum :ill of hit-h will be described in de 1.2 furs-lentil Another object is to provide an arch support? of the character described in which the ant r or arched portion underlying the o-etwars'zl arm is recessed or otherwise lHl 'JHMllS lf'tll ed to give a certain resiltent vac lztil support, promotmg proper dip! r inn o.- weight at said metatarsal Serial No. 676,4 2.

area and consequently at the metatarsalphalangeal articulation, when there is any tendency for unequal distribution. This phase of my invention is desirable as an additional factor in making the arch support adaptable for the average foot. In connection with this feature, I also employ a cushion pad between the plate and outer sole for resilient supporting the plate throughout its arched portion.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in this art as the invention becomes better tinderstood by reference to the following descrip-. tion when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a shoe equipped with a combined shank and arch support embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic top view showing one form of the shank and arch support plate in relation to a shoe;

Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive are cross-sectional views, full size, through the plate taken on the lines 33, 44, 5--5, 6-6, 77, 88 and 99, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a side view of the plate looking at the inner side thereof;

Fig. 11 is a top or dorsal view of the bones of a foot showing one form of my improved plate may be pressed from sheet metal or may be otherwise suitably shaped and is intended to be permanently incorporated into the shoe structure. lVhen the plate is embodied in a welted shoe, it has a. relatively narrow posterior shank portion 13, the nside and outside edges 14 and 15 of which fit between the con'iplemental ribs of the insole. the shank being thereby held against lateral displacement. As shown in Fig. l, the shank is interposed between the insole 16 and outer or main sole 17 and overreaches the heel 18.

The anterior end portion 19 of the plate 55 the inside edge of the plate, thus continuing thereof,

is relatively wide, filling the space between the diverging ribs and reaching to the ball portion of the shoe. Th inside and outside edges 14 and 15 which follow the contour of the rib diverge in defining the marginal edizes of the anterior end portion 19 and then turn inwardly at the widest point forming an arcuate anterior edge 21.

The cross-sectional shape of the plate is best shown in Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive. and the longitudinal section in F1 l.- From these figures it will he noted tiiat the posterior end portion 13 of the shank is flat and conforms to the level of the heel. The

outside edge it; lowers uniformly, that is,

inclines downwardly and forwardly from a point in the shank portion 13, substantially to the intersection of. the section line 8, Fig. 2 This lowered level is indicated by a base line 22 in Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive, in order to show the relative level of the crossscctions. The inside edge 1 extending forwardly from a point on the posterior end portion of the plate is increasingly higher at successive forward stages than opposite points on the outside edge until a point. is reached substantially at the intersection of the cross-section 6. This will readily be seen by viewing Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive in which the level of the outside edge is indicated by dotted line 23, this high point be ing indicated by 24. The wideanterior end portion of the plate is arched upwardly both transversely and longitudinally, the transverw arch being best shown in Fi s. 7 and 8, and the longitudinal arch in Fig. 1. It will be here observed that the marginal portion of the anterior end is substantially in a common plane in said low level and that the inside edge between the points 24 and 25 slopes downwardly and'forwardly at rather an abrupt angle. It will also be'observed that the high pointor crown of the transverse arch on the section 8 is at-the point 26, while the high point at the section 7 is at 27. The high points referred to, namely 24:, 26 and 27, are substantially in the same horizontal plane; consequently an imaginary line connecting these points (as shown in dotted lines, Figs. 2 and ll) will indicate the highest points of thearch. It will be noted that this imaginary line reaches from the crown of the transverse arch shown in Fig. 8, posteriorly toward the transverse arch lengthwise of the plate but so that the highest points of the transverse arch taken lengthwise of said continuation define a line oblique to the longitudinal axis of the plate. This peculiar shape of the arch, namely the elon ation of the high part or crown in a line oilique to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, or line 24. 26 and 27, is due of the important charanterior'end portion of the acteristics of my invention and is materially different from any prior arch support so far as I am aware. It is this different shape, together with the position of the plate in the shoe structure which primaril gives the beneficial results abovc-describecii \Vhile the shape of my improved shank' and arch support has been described somewhat in detail, this .is for the purpose of conveying a better understanding of its function; but on the other hand it should be understood that this detailed description is for illustrative purpose merely, fol-showing one practical embodiment of the invention, and deviations may be made in non-essential'details.

In making a shoe embodying my iifF provements, the last for the insole will be shaped to arch the latter similarly to the arch of the plate, and a suitable pad 28 will be fitted beneath the arched portion of said plate to properly supportit in position. If desired, the usual filler strip 2 9 may be ill-- tcrposed between the plate and the outer sole. By reason of the foregoing'constrnction, the plate will be securely held in the shoe against displacement, at its inner and outer sides by the rib and at its anterior end by the arched portion of the insole which is complemental to the arched formation of the plate. Additional means may be employed for resisting any tendency formthe plate to shift rearwardly, such for exampb as small nails 31, passing through the postcrior end of the plate into the heel structure.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 11 and 12, which show the relation of my improvements to the bones of a normal'foot, the following will be observed: The plate extends substantially throughout the longitudinal arch of the foot and conforms in longitudinal section to such arch except that it has no pronounced curvature upwardly'in the region of the crown of said longitudinal arch for the reason that I h ve found "that such pronounced arch is n t necessary in supporting the normal or averag foot, and in fact, is detrimental thereto. flfhe arched plate conforms to and supports the plantar surface of the foot throughout the metatarsal area, that is, between the anterior transverse arch at the uneture of the metatarsallhead' .and phalanges and the posterior transverse arch vat the juncture or articulation of the tarsal and metatarsal bones. In Fig. 11, the metatarsal area referred to is indicated approxianately by dottedlines 32 and Si l-designating the anterior and posterior transverse arc cs.

It will be observed from this view thatth'o crown of tin: arched portion ofthe plate extends in an obli no line as above-describfqi,

the purpose of w ii'ch is to correctly support,

the average or normal foot through the. omit 1 ical portion of the metatarsal area. This portion of the foot when not properly supported is one of the first-to'become weakened, thereby giving cause to displacement of the metatarsal bones, especially 'at the heads thereof, The arched shape. of the anterior end portion of the plate provides proportional support for themetatarsal bones, this support being carried to the highest level and extended from a central point of greatest pressure, posteriorly toward the inside of the arch so as to traverse the lines of pressure thrown on, the heads of the first and second metatarsal bones. Such support may, be worn with comfort on the normal foot'and prevents any weakening tendencies thru the metatarsal area. It will also aid in correcting displacements in this area for the reason that it providesa positive support properly proportioned, with respect to the transverse and longitudinal arch structure of the foot. It should be noted at this point that the plate is of sufficient resiliency to give the desired flexibility to the shank portion of the shoe and at the same time provides a firm support and reinforcement therefor.

My invention also contemplates the provision of means whereby greater .resiliency is obtained in the arched anterior end of the plate to accommodate slight variations in proportional distribution of support through the metatarsal area in different feet, this being accomplished by making the inside, outside and anterior marginal edges of said arched portionjn'dependently resilient, as by recessing such edges at 34, the recesses radiating approximately from the crown of the struction, the pad 28 is made of soft rubber or any suitable material.

It will be manifest from the foregoing that my improved shank and metatarsal arch support embodies such characteristics as make. it, suitable to be built into any shoe for stengthening it, lending comfort to the wearer, correcting displacements in the metatarsal area and preventing any Weakening tendencies in such area. My improvements are also of such character as to make them very practical as a commercial product. The construction is comparatively simple, inexpensive to install in a shoe, and will not shift or become displaced from its set position.

In putting my invention into practice, it should be understood that changes might bemade in size, shape and proportions, and also of the material employed in producing the desired arch structure in a shoe, without departing from the. "spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims; in which- I claim:

1. metatarsal arch support comprising a plate adapted to be inserted between the inner and outer soles of a shoe and being transversely and longitudinally arched for supporting the metatarsal area, the crown of the plate arch extending from substantially the center of said area, in a line oblique to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, posteriorly toward the inside edge of the plate.

2. A metatarsal arch support as set forth in claim 1, in which the outside edge inclines downwardly and forwardly from a point in the posterior end portion of the plate to a low level opposite the transverse arch of the plate.

3. A metatarsal arch support comprising a plate adapted to be inserted between the inner and outer soles ofa shoe and bein transversely and longitudinally arched for supporting the metatarsal area, the crown of the plate arch extending from substantially the center of said area, in a line o't 's lique to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, posteriorly toward the inside edge of the plate, the outside edge of the plate inclining downwardly and forwardly from a point in the posterior end portion of the piite to a low level opposite the transverse arch of the plate, and the inside edge of the plate being higher than said outside edgej'from a point in the posterior end portion to sub stantially the transverse arch of the plate.

4. A combined shank and arch supportof the character described, comprising a plate having a relatively narrow posterior portion adapted to overlie the shank and heel portion of the shoe and a relatively. wide anterior portion beneath the metatarsal area, said anterior portion being arched to support said area, and the crown of the arch extending in a line oblique to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, posteriorly and toward the inside edge of the plate.

5. A combined shank and arch support of the character described comprising a plate having aposterior end portion the inside and outside edges of which are substantially parallel and an anterior end portion relatlvely wide so as to underlie the metatarsal forming to the transverse metatarsal arch, 1%

and the inside edge of the plate being higher than opposite points on the outside edge at transverse sections taken progressively forward from said posterior end port-ion sub-'.

stantially, to the transverse arch of the plate. my

6. A combined shank and arch support as setforth in claim' 5 in which the crown of said arched portion follows a line oblique to the longitudinal'axis of the shoe, reaching posteriorly substantially to the inside edge'ofthe plate.

7. The combination in a shoe, of a combinedshank and arch support of the char aster described comprising a resilient plate having a posterior shank portion and an,

anterior'portionQthe latter being arched for supporting the ngetatarsal area, said arched portion on its; inner, outer and anterior side having marginal recesses, leaving intermediate resilient spaced portions, said 'plate' being inserted between the inner andouter soles and the inner sole being shaped to provide an arch complemental to that of the plate for preventing displacement of the latter.

S. The combination with a welted shoe, of a plate providing a combined shank and metatarsal arch support, the plate being inserted between'the inner and outer soles,

the inside and outside edges of the plate and downwardly from a point in said p0- sterior end portion to, a low level in the anterior endfportion, the anterior and por tion being arched transversely from said low level and in a line oblique to the longitudinal axis of theshoe, and the inner sole being shaped to conform to the "arched plate.

NELS E. JOHNSON. 

